Social and Management Research Journal

Graduate soft skills and employability in Malaysia: The view of employers from different manufacturing companies

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Employers are increasingly concerned about graduates' shortcomings in soft skills, particularly in leadership, communication, and critical thinking. These deficiencies can negatively affect organisational performance and overall economic growth. This study examines the soft skills that are most valued by managerial personnel in manufacturing companies throughout the Klang Valley. It focuses on communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork, as well as their influence on employability. A structured survey, adapted from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, was administered to 173 managerial employees from various manufacturing firms. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, which involved multiple regression analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha), and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are the most essential skills overall. However, teamwork showed the strongest relationship with employability, followed by communication, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These results emphasize the vital role that soft skills play in workforce readiness, supporting the employability skills model. To enhance managers’ competencies in teamwork and communication, the study recommends that organisations implement mentoring programs, leadership development initiatives, and targeted training. Higher education institutions should integrate experiential learning and structured soft skills development into their curricula to better align graduates' competencies with industry requirements. Additionally, policymakers are encouraged to promote soft skill development through targeted funding and sector-specific initiatives. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of individual soft skills across various industries and regions to more effectively anticipate the evolving demands of the labour market.

Navigating Boundaries: Uncovering Constraints in Focus Group Discussion Within the Context of Security Issue

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Focus group discussion (FGD) is a crucial data collection strategy in qualitative research design. Using FGDs enables researchers to gather in-depth information from a large number of participants efficiently in terms of cost and effort. The advantage of FDGs is that they allow the collection of diverse perspectives from multiple participants simultaneously in a single location. However, despite their benefits, FDGs―like other research methods―have certain limitations that must be identified to implement appropriate mitigation measures. This paper aims to explore these limitations of FGDs. The researchers employed observation techniques during a series of FGDs in Sabah to examine security issues in the region. The study investigated the challenges experienced by both researchers and participants throughout the process. The findings reveal various constraints that emerged before (networking challenges, inappropriate site selection, last-minute cancellations), during (insufficient information, inadequate moderation skills, device issues, irrelevant information, time constraints, social desirability, groupthink, personality dynamics), and after (analytical constraints) the FGDs were conducted. These insights are expected to benefit future studies, particularly those in which FGDs are being considered as the data collection method.

From restless nights to productive days: Investigating sleep hygiene, social rhythm, and sleep quality in young adults

Nicky Carlmond Ang, Fatanah Ramlee, Vanida Tian — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Sleep is essential for health, well-being, and productivity, particularly among young adults entering the workforce. This study investigated the role of sleep hygiene and social rhythm as predictors of sleep quality, emphasizing implications for daily productivity among young adults in Malaysia. A longitudinal survey was conducted with 113 participants who completed either paper-based or online diaries. Participants provided demographic information and responded to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sleep Hygiene Inventory (SHI), Social Rhythm Metric (SRM II-5), Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD), and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). Participants generally demonstrated good sleep hygiene (M = 12.52; SD = 6.70) and above-average social rhythm (M = 4.78; SD = 1.62). The majority were classified as good sleepers, with a mean PSQI score of 4.29 (SD = 2.44), diary-reported sleep quality (M = 3.52, SD = .38), total sleep time (M = 7 hours 7 minutes, SD = 54 minutes), and sleep efficiency (M = 86.61%, SD = 7.19%). Sleep hygiene showed a significant positive correlation with PSQI-measured sleep quality but was not significantly correlated with diary-reported sleep quality. Regression analysis demonstrated that sleep hygiene was a stronger predictor of overall sleep quality (β = .69, t(110) = 8.38, p < .001), while social rhythm significantly predicted sleep efficiency (β = .33, t(110) = 3.17, p < .002). These findings highlight the importance of healthy sleep habits and regular daily routines in enhancing sleep quality, and potentially improving productivity among young professionals. Future research should explore these relationships in diverse populations to further substantiate generalizability and practical applications for workplace productivity enhancement.

Assessing CRM strategies and their effect on customer satisfaction in Johor’s hospitality industry

Noor Aslinda Abu Seman, Nurul Hafizah Mohd Fauzi, Arifha Mohamad — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Customer satisfaction is a critical challenge in the hospitality industry, where hotels face rising consumer expectations and intense competition. While Customer Relationship Management (CRM) offers a strategic solution, many hotels underutilise CRM dimensions—customer orientation, CRM organisation, knowledge management, and technology-based CRM—limiting their ability to enhance guest experiences. This study investigates the effect of CRM dimensions on customer satisfaction in Johor hotels. This study employed a quantitative, correlational, and cross-sectional survey design and successfully collected data from 200 hotel clients in Johor. Convenience sampling targeted guests who had visited Johor hotels within the past three months. Data were analysed using SPSS version 29.0, and multiple regression was applied to examine the relationships between CRM variables and customer satisfaction. The results show that CRM organisation is the most potent positive driver of customer satisfaction, emphasising the importance of well-structured CRM practices in improving customer experiences. Technology-based CRM also significantly impacts satisfaction, highlighting technology’s growing role in hotel operations. However, customer orientation and knowledge management negatively affected satisfaction, suggesting misalignments between hotel practices and customer expectations. These findings provide valuable insights for hotel management, urging a focus on enhancing CRM organisation and leveraging technology while reassessing customer orientation and knowledge management strategies. This study contributes to CRM research, extending customer experience theory and supporting elements of the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Theory. It calls for an integrated approach to CRM implementation and offers recommendations for future research to explore the adverse effects of specific CRM dimensions and regional differences in customer satisfaction.

The Moderating Role of Influencer Marketing in the Relationship between Customer Perception and Halal Food Products Purchase Behaviour

Nur Iman Hashim, Nadzirah Mohd Fauzi, Ummi Munirah Syuhada Mohamad Zan — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study examines the moderating effect of influencer marketing on the relationship between customer perceptions and purchase behavior in Malaysia’s halal food sector. The rise of digital platforms, especially social media, has reshaped consumer behaviour, with influencers playing a key role in purchasing decisions. Hence, this study assesses how influencer marketing influences consumer trust, product authenticity, and purchase intentions in a culturally sensitive market. A cross-sectional survey of 404 respondents from four regions in Selangor, Malaysia, was conducted. Findings show that while customer perceptions, specifically trust and product authenticity, influence purchases, their impact varies with influencer engagement. Additionally, influencer marketing significantly moderates this relationship, reinforcing consumer trust and product credibility, and increasing purchase likelihood. These results highlight the growing role of digital endorsements in halal consumer markets, offering insights into how businesses can leverage influencer credibility. By emphasizing the intersection of cultural values and digital marketing, this study contributes to research on halal consumer behaviour.

Instrument validation: The impact of perceived instructional leadership on student engagement among the leaders of international schools of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0200

When engaging students in their studies, instructional leaders are critical. It is challenging to pique the attention of 21^st century students in learning. As a result, further in-depth research on this topic is required. Furthermore, the tools now accessible to meet this need are even more critical. As a result, this article aims to validate an instrument used by international secondary school leaders in Jeddah to measure the impact of perceived instructional leadership on student engagement. The scale is based on the 4-H Study for Positive Youth Development's School Engagement Scale (Richard, 2005). Three experts have validated this instrument. The findings highlight a rigorously validated instrument through thematic analysis of expert feedback, emphasizing cultural relevance, clarity, and alignment with instructional leadership in Jeddah’s international schools.

Understanding Job Search Intentions: A Study on Psychological Drivers among Malaysian Graduates

Choon Wei Low, Mah Pei Yew, Nur Fatihah Shaari, Shukei Liew — Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study examines the relationship between job search self-efficacy, subjective norms, PBC, attitude, and job search intention among 139 Malaysian undergraduates in the Klang Valley using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. In recent years, Malaysia has faced increasing challenges of graduate unemployment and skill-related underemployment, raising concerns about students’ readiness to enter the workforce. Understanding the psychological and behavioural factors influencing job search intention is crucial to addressing these issues. The multiple linear regression analysis findings reveal that PBC and attitude significantly and positively influence job search intention. Students with a positive attitude towards job search activities exhibit a higher intention to search, and greater perceived control over the process further strengthens this intention. While subjective norms and job search self-efficacy are positively associated with job search intention, they are not statistically significant predictors. The results highlight the importance of intrinsic factors, such as personal attitudes and control, in shaping job search behaviour. This study recommends that higher education institutions offer targeted career guidance, focusing on resume writing, interview skills, and job market navigation to build students’ confidence. Strengthening engagement in job search activities can improve graduates' employment prospects and contribute to Malaysia’s broader economic development.

Building Consumer Trust: Key Factors Shaping Responses to Influencer Marketing Campaign

Sarah Aida Azhar, Yuslina Liza Mohd Yusof, Zatul Fahany Harun — Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Trustworthiness has emerged as a fundamental determinant in shaping consumer responses to influencer marketing campaigns, influencing how audiences perceive and engage with promotional content. Current data underscores that 63% of consumers in developed nations feel deceived by influencers who do not disclose paid partnerships, contributing to heightened distrust and scepticism. This figure was derived from a consumer survey which surveyed 1,500 social media users across five developed nations (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia). Conversely, 67% of millennials and Gen Z in developing countries, such as Malaysia, express a degree of trust in influencer endorsements, but this trust is contingent upon the influencer's perceived authenticity and transparency. This study aims to examine the influence of influencer expertise, authenticity, transparency, relatability, and emotional appeal on consumer trust in influencer marketing. By focusing on these trustworthiness factors, the research explores how they shape consumer attitudes, engagement, and purchase intentions, particularly across culturally diverse Southeast Asian settings. The findings indicate that influencers who exhibit transparency and demonstrate substantive expertise cultivate a stronger sense of credibility, which in turn positively influences consumer behaviour. Conversely, perceived dishonesty or opacity in such engagements markedly diminishes the efficacy of marketing efforts. For practitioners, the implications are clear: successful marketing campaigns necessitate partnerships with influencers who embody transparency, authenticity and demonstrated expertise, as these qualities are instrumental in fostering enhanced consumer engagement and brand loyalty.

Exploring the Great Outdoors: A Bibliometric Journey into Adventure Tourism

Mohamad Khairi Mohamad@Alwi, Norwani Mohd Nazari, Muhamad Shahrin — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Adventure tourism studies have garnered increasing attention from scholars worldwide, as reflected in numerous academic publication databases. Most existing research in this field relies on empirical studies conducted through surveys and interviews, with some contributions from conceptual papers. However, bibliometric analyses of adventure tourism remain largely underexplored. This study adopts a bibliometric analysis approach to provide a comprehensive overview of the landscape, evolution, and trends in adventure tourism research. Additionally, this method allows the identification of leading authors, institutions, and countries actively contributing to the field. The study also aims to generate visualization maps using VOSviewer software, illustrating the connections between authors, institutions, and keyword occurrences. A total of 661 scientific documents related to adventure tourism in various forms were sourced from the Elsevier Scopus database. Through this analysis, prominent authors, highly productive institutions, frequent keywords, top funders, and other significant metrics in the field were identified. Finally, this paper offers valuable insights for future researchers by highlighting critical research gaps through the examination of keyword occurrences associated with adventure tourism. In contrast to earlier reviews, this analysis identifies evolving research fronts and underexplored thematic areas, thereby offering a more dynamic and current perspective on the intellectual and structural development of the field.

Transforming Education through Generative AI: A Pathway to Equitable Learning and Literacy under SDG4

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a significant advancement in the field of education, particularly in addressing global educational disparities. This paper presents a knowledge transfer programme that integrates generative AI into teaching and learning practices, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), specifically SDG 4.5 and SDG 4.6. The programme focuses on reducing inequalities in education and improving literacy and numeracy rates among youth and adults, particularly within vulnerable and marginalized communities. The implementation of AI technologies in educational settings demonstrates their potential in fostering inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.